saying goodbye to Dr. Medina-Perez

As I sit here soaked in my tears the only thing going through my head is "COME BACK, COME BACK!" As if she only left to another country. She is gone, I wont see her again and that is something that I cannot accept. I cant even begin to try and understand what her husband is going through. When I got home I was hoping no one would be there so I can just put down this act and just explode in tears and yell "come back" like if she wasn't far and can hear me.

This is a dream and this isn't real is what I keep telling myself. That she's going to show up at vanguard and tell us this was all just some kind of joke. I figured maybe if I trick myself into thinking this just wasn't reality then I would be alright. People keep asking if I'm okay, of course I say I am because that is what society expects us to say. I'm not going to say no I'm not okay. Someone that I just poured out my past, present and then future goals just passed away to fucking cancer. Someone that helped me make BIG decisions and taught me so much about life and myself that I didn't even know existed. Dr. Medina-Perez.

You knew so much about everything. But if you only knew where I was today and how I make beyond better decisions than the last time we talked, you would be proud of me. Remember when I would walk into your office and talk about these awesome books, philosophy, and just about anything you can think of we talked abut. And then we decided to trade books because you were interested in the book i was reading and vise vera. Well I still have the one you let borrow with that awesome book mark you gave me. I wrote on post-its so I wouldn't write in your book. Anyway, I wanted to say thank you. You and Koralik were the reason why I even got up in the morning to show up for school when I did. If i would have known this was going to happen i would have came every day. You did something I though was never going to be possible. Get me to go to school. You did so much to help me stay sane. If there was a different social worker at Vanguard when I got here, I probably wouldn't be alive. Little did you know you saved a life. You inspired me to do great things, and those great things I WILL do. I wish I could just see you one more time and tell you how you impacted my life massively.
I will NEVER forget you,Ill see you soon.
Rest In Peace.

by Kelsey Ramirez, editor-in-chief

Vanguard loses beloved social worker

Vanguard lost its beloved social worker, Dr. Marilyn Medina-Perez, yesterday to cancer. She  pushed us to graduate, made us laugh, loved us so much, and, in some cases, even saved our lives. Dr. Medina recently earned a doctorate, became a mom to two awesome babies, Liam and Aiden, and she filled our buckets every day. Everyone loves Dr. Medina like a mom.

We are working hard to collect memories, thoughts, and reflections about our beloved social worker, Dr. Marilyn Medina-Perez. Please submit anything you would like published to us! We included our email in this post. We will work hard to create a forum of love and support for all vipers--staff, alum, and current students!

">Thank you, Kelsey and Gabby, editors of the blog

kramirez3557@stu.d214.org
gsanfelipe4533@stu.d214.org


Here is the link to Dr. Medina's obituary and information about services:
http://www.countrysidefuneralhomes.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2382725&fh_id=11599 

New Staff Interview With Mr. Wrobel!

1. So, how do you like Vanguard so far?
I love everything about it! The building, the students, the staff. And it's very homey, and small which I like.

2. Did you always want to be in the teaching field?
No, actually. When I was younger, and still living in Poland, my dream job was to be a garbage man! (laughs) I thought it would be so cool to ride on those huge trucks!

3. What were you like in High School?
Believe it or not, I was pretty weird! I had long hair, played guitar, and was into a lot of Black Metal type bands. I was a good student though, with hardworking parents who worked 2 plus jobs, so I think I can relate a lot to Vanguard students in the sense that my family had to work hard for everything we had.

 4. What things do you like to do for fun, outside of school?
Well, I have a son, Dominik, so I love just going outside and playing with him. He's the best. I'm also REALLY into Badminton, and I even coach at Buffalo Grove and Elk Grove High School! 

5. What is the best piece of advice you've ever gotten?
To work hard at anything you do, and give it your best. 

6. What is your favorite book?

Well, my son's favorite book is "Where Is Baby's Belly Button?" by Karen Katz, and it's sorta grown on me (laughs). But my other favorite book since High School has been Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.

7. What is something that most people don't know about you?

I compete at a high level in Badminton, and I've traveled around the world to go to competitions. I've been to Canada, Boston, places like that. Also, I moved here from Poland when I was pretty young, because of a green card lottery! Basically, people across Poland applied to get themselves and their families a green card, and my family happened to win! We had 3 months to pack up all our things and move to America! So that was pretty crazy.

8. What would you say is your biggest personal accomplishment?

My biggest personal accomplishments were learning to speak English, and going back to school with minimal resources. I actually went to Harper for Massage Therapy, and then to North Eastern for my teaching degree.

9. How would your friends and family describe you?

They would say that I'm hard working, and have a great sense of humor.

10. If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be?

On an island with clear blue water! I'm happy anywhere I can swim.

11. A time when you were embarrassed?

Well, when I first came here and knew very little English, someone said to me "What's up?" And I actually looked up at the ceiling. The guy explained to me later that it was something common Americans said, and I busted out laughing.

12. What is a strange talent that you have?

Hmm. I can make owl sounds? I guess that's pretty cool.

13. What is the most adventurous thing you've ever done?

When I was 10 years old, I was a part of the boy scouts, and we went on a 3 week wilderness journey, basically living off our own resources. I had a blast! I even repelled off a 60 meter bridge, which scared me half to death, but I'm very glad I did it!

14. If someone were to make a movie about your life, who would you hope would

play you?

James Dean! We have the same birthday, and he's a total badass!

15. What changes do you plan on making here at Vanguard?

My goal is to get kids excited about being active and healthy. I also want them to find something active that they like to do, and continue it outside of High School. Even if it's just walking, it's still good excercise!